Rise of the Kosovar freedom fighters

Unheard of until four years ago, the KLA now dominates the scene in Kosovo. Radicalised by repression, it has won support away from the pacifist, Ibrahim Rugova. It owes its success largely to support from clan leaders, the diaspora and a variety of traffickers and intelligence services.

by Christophe Chiclet

All the major events in Kosovo’s recent history have taken place in the spring. In 1981 the province rebelled. In 1989 its autonomous status was withdrawn. In 1998 fighting erupted. In 1999 large sections of its population were driven out. The Kosovo Liberation Army (Ushtri Çlirimtare e Kosoves (...)